Model tire wheel



April 5, 1938. F. J. MERZ; JR.. ET AL 2,113,031

MODEL TIRE WHEEL Filed June 23, 1936 nmukozs Clayton B. fllerry 'Geqr-ye B. Mer

5 Wwm W-M Frank cl Mer5,efr,

Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE MODEL TIRE WHEELApplication June 23,

2 Claims.

Our invention relates to model tire wheels, and certain objects of theinvention are to provide, as an article of manufacture, a miniature tirewheel of simple, sturdy and light construction that is particularlyadapted for use on model and toy airplanes. Further objects are toprovide a miniature tire wheel of sufliciently light and durableconstruction to withstand the rigorous usage encountered in model andexperimental airplane flying, and to further provide the tire withbuffer means for absorbing the shocks in case the wheel should strikethe ground with any considerable force or in a deflated condition.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the wheel;

Fig. 2 is a view in central transverse section taken on a broken line2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View in central longitudinal section taken on a broken line33 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a view in central transverse section of awheel having a slightly modified form of construction.

Referring in detail to the drawing wherein like reference numeralsindicate like parts in the several views, the numeral 5 designates aminiature tire tube having the usual opening around its inner periphery,each edge portion of which is enlarged and formed into an annular shoe6. A diminutive valve 1 provides means for inflating the tire tube.

The side walls 8, which define the opening around the inner periphery ofthe tube 5 where the shoes 6 are joined thereto, are straight and flat.

A rubber ring 9, also having flat sides, is interposed in said openingand the flat side walls 8 of the tube are fitted against the flat sidesof the ring, and may be cemented thereto if desired. The outerperipheral portion of the rubber ring projects into the tube 5 allaround as shown at Hi. This is an important feature of the invention forthe reason that the projecting portion of the rubber ring serves as abufier or shock absorber in case the tire strikes the ground withunusual force or in a deflated condition.

The next step in the assembly of the wheel consists in the installationof a metal ring H which is preferably made of aluminum. The outersurface of this metal ring fits snugly into the annular opening definedby the inner surfaces of the rubber ring 9 and the annular shoes 6. Themetal ring is installed in a centralized position and serves as asupport for the rubber ring and the annular shoes. While this metal ringmaterially adds to the stability of the wheel, it may be omitted ifdesired, as in Fig. 4.

1936, Serial No. 86,810

The last step consists in the installation of hub caps 12 and 13 whichare also preferably made of aluminum. These hub caps. are convex and aredesigned so that their inwardly curved outer edges fit into thedepressions where the shoes 6 6 join the tire tube, as at I4. Said hubcaps are provided with centrally aligned holes, and a tubular axlehousing I5 is installed in said holes with its ends projecting slightlyoutside. These outwardly projecting ends are then simultaneously pressedinward with a suitable instrument which causes them to spread out whenthey are pressed inwardly and to clinch the hub caps, as at It. Theinward pressure draws the hub caps inwardly and causes their edges, atM, to press the shoes 6 into secure engagement with the rubber ring 9.In this position, the hub caps bear against the edges of the metal ringII, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby materially increasing the stability ofthe wheel as a whole. Instead of using the foregoing described clinchingmethod, the outer ends of the tubular axle housing l5 may be threadedand nuts I! may be used thereon to draw the hub caps inwardly as shownin Fig. 4.

A miniature tire wheel, made in accordance with the foregoingdescription, may be constructed at nominal cost, and be of suflicientdurability to withstand all the rough usage and wear encountered inmodel and experimental airplane flying.

We claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a model tire wheel consisting of anannular tire tube having an opening around its inner annular side,annular shoes formed on the edge portions of the tube around the openingand providing annular depressions where they join the tube, a rubberring snugly interposed between the shoes, a metal ring fitting snuglyagainst the inner surfaces of the rubber ring and annular shoes, convexcaps having inwardly curved edge portions fitting into the annulardepressions around the tube, means for securing the caps into forcedengagement with the shoes whereby they are compressed against the rubberring and said means consisting of a tubular clamping member serving asan axle housing and concentrically disposed with respect to the caps.

2. As an article of manufacture, a model tire wheel consisting of anannular tire tube having an opening around its inner annular side,annular shoes formed on the edge portions of thetube around the openingand providing annular depressions where they join the tube, a rubberring snugly interposed between the shoes, said rubber ring projectinginto the tire tube, a metal ring fitfor securing the caps in forcedengagement with ting snugly against the inner surfaces of the rubtheshoes whereby they are compressed against ber ring and annular shoes,convex caps impinging the rubber ring.

the outer edges of the metal ring and having in- FRANK J. MERZ, JR.wardly curved edge portions fitting into the an- CLAYTON B. MERRY. nulardepressions around the tube, and means GEORGE B. MERZ.

